KOLA: An Afro-Diasporic Nutcracker

12/12 - 12/22/19: For a year, Rozz Nash, Jennifer Johns and I holed up and laughed, cried, and labored our way through the conception and development of KOLA. With the support of an all-star cast of designers & musicians (to include Kev Choice, Dame Drummer, Baba Tacumba, Cava Menzies, & Lauren Adams), we opened the show to rave reviews & sell out crowds over the 2-week run!

It’s hard for me to express what this experience has meant to me. Over 100 youth and adults came together to create a new holiday tradition for Oakland. The People’s Conservatory will continue this production for years to come; refining the movement, expanding the visuals and just like the Nutcracker itself, it will continue to tell a story of a young girls self-discovery. I am so proud to have written and directed this piece and to able to share it with so many has been a joy. Thank you to the over 2,500 people who joined us for eight shows. Thank you to the artists, young and young at heart, who graced the stage. Thank you to the theater staff of Castlemont High School. Thank you to the crew that ran backstage & front of house Thank you to the over 2,500 parents, family and friends that joined us for eight shows. Each and everyone one of you contributed to this success.
Check out our feature in KQED Arts here

Rozz & I working with the cast on movement